Umama bint Hamza

Umāma bint Ḥamza was a companion and first cousin of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Biography

She was the daughter of Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib, an uncle of Muhammad, and of Salma bint Umays, who was from the Khath'am tribe. Her parents both converted to Islam in late 615 or early 616.

Umama's relatives debated over who was the correct guardian for her. Zayd ibn Haritha based his claim on his having been Hamza's "brother in Islam". Ja'far ibn Abi Talib claimed Umama on the grounds that he was married to her mother’s sister. Ali said that he took priority because it had been his idea to bring Umama to Medina. Muhammad settled the quarrel in favour of Ja'far because "a girl cannot marry her aunt's husband." Instead, Muhammad married her off to his stepson, Salama ibn Abi Salama. According to another tradition, Umama also married Salama's brother Umar, suggesting (if this is not a mistake with the name) that Salama eventually divorced her.